Millersville University in Pennsylvania is investigating a “blackface” incident involving two female students from back in early February.
The duo had posted an image of themselves in “charcoal facial masks” on Snapchat with the tagline “Young, Black & Proud” as well as, according to Lancaster Online, “a note about Black History Month.”
College president John Anderson said the students will be “held accountable according to [Millersville’s] judicial process.”
But despite Anderson’s proclamation, students voiced their anger at university administrators — along with the two girls — at a campus forum yesterday.
“I’m kind of fed up with this campus. There are a lot of people defending these girls,” complained student Vance Holloway. “There’s so much happening on this campus, and I’m sick of being ignored. When we feel discriminated against, we feel alone.”
More than two dozen students spoke at the forum, many voicing dissatisfaction with the administration’s response to racist incidents.
Several students criticized MU President John Anderson for not responding directly to events.
“Where were you?” James Duncan, a freshman on the Student Senate, asked Anderson.
“As administrators,” another student added, “you’ve got to do better.”
Anderson, who was in the audience along with several administrators, appeared to be listening intently, often applauding the remarks.
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When the comments were over, Anderson stood to apologize.
“I feel like I’ve failed you, and I take that seriously. I’m here to look for how we can change the culture,” he said.
“We’ve got to step it up, and we will. I pledge that to you. Let’s have that dialogue.”
Several administrators echoed Anderson’s vow.
“No one that comes here … should feel the way you did,” said Provost Vilas Prabhu. “Maybe we were complacent. Lulled to believe, each one of us, that we were doing all we can. Obviously not.”
Student Reuneshia Williams added “I don’t feel safe here,” while recent MU graduate Christopher Thomas said he was getting tired of people telling him “to get over it,” and that he “just a liberal snowflake.”
MORE: ‘Blackface’ incidents rile two campuses, raise First Amendment questions
MORE: Beauty mask mistaken for blackface ignites racial tensions, free speech debate
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